Spain Raises Digital Nomad Income Bar. Higher threshold effective December 2025
Photo: Visa-hq
Spain has officially raised the minimum income requirement for its Digital Nomad Visa, one of Europe’s most sought-after residence permits for remote workers. An order published in the Official State Gazette on 5 December 2025 and confirmed by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration aligns the visa’s financial test with Spain’s updated minimum wage for 2025.
As a result, applicants must now demonstrate monthly earnings of at least €2,763, equivalent to roughly €33,156 per year. The new threshold applies immediately to all applications filed on or after 7 December 2025.
Link to the minimum wage for Spain Digital Nomad Visa
The income requirement for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is directly tied to the Salario Mínimo Interprofesional. Following the increase of the minimum wage to €1,381.50 per month based on 12 annual payments, the visa threshold automatically rose to 200% of that figure.
This mechanism ensures that the programme remains aligned with domestic wage policy and can be adjusted annually without revising the underlying legal framework.
Updated rules for dependants on Spain Digital Nomad Visa
The government also revised the income requirements for accompanying family members. A spouse or registered partner now requires an additional 75% of the minimum wage, amounting to €1,036 per month, while each child adds a further 25%, or €345 per month. All figures are assessed on a gross income basis.
Officials say the revised structure better reflects the real cost of living for families relocating to Spain under the scheme.
Housing pressure and policy rationale in Spain
The increase comes amid growing concerns that the Digital Nomad Visa has contributed to housing pressure in major urban centres. Real estate data show that demand for medium-term rentals in central Barcelona rose by 18% in 2024, a trend partly attributed to the influx of high-earning remote workers.
By raising the income floor, authorities aim to narrow the purchasing power gap between locals and foreign professionals while preserving Spain’s attractiveness to genuinely mobile talent.
Immediate impact on applications Spain Digital Nomad Visa
For applicants and employers, the change requires an immediate review of salary documentation and financial statements. Immigration advisers note that income evidence must clearly account for deductions, currency conversion fees and benefits in kind, which are frequently scrutinised during audits by Spain’s immigration units.
With the minimum wage expected to continue rising in line with government targets, further increases to the Digital Nomad Visa threshold are widely anticipated in the coming years.
As reported by International Investment experts, Spain’s move highlights a broader European shift towards tighter, wage-linked digital nomad schemes. While access remains open, the rising income bar signals a transition towards a more selective model with clearer social and housing policy considerations.